Sun suit



Oct. 14, 1930. HARGRAVES 1,778,454

SUN SUIT Filed Dec. 11. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 14, 1930. HARGRAVES 1,778,454

SUN SUIT Filed Dec 11, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 a? A? g :5 8 E h E6 8 28 Q c 7{ 1 4- 24 9 E2 Iawezaiov: H032 Cari/ L. Ham-graves Oct. 14, 1930. H, HARGRAVES 1,778,454

SUN SUIT Filed Dec. 11, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 13419832 303 1 llobwilyflwgravew 5 6 pm by 7 7 M12296 Oct. 14, 1930. H: L..'HARGRAVE$- 1,778,454

SUN SUIT Filed Dec. 11, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 14, 1930. H. 1.. HARGRAVES SUN SUIT Filed Dec 11, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IIobarilTflazyggraveo 22 Zw7 avg,

' vi a Inversion- Patented Oct. 14, 1930 UNITED ,sT

ES PATENT OFFICE '-IOBART L. HARGRAVES, OF WEST BUXTON, MAINE, ASSIGNOR TO THE WILLIAM CARTER COMPANY, OF NEEDHAM HEIGHTS, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS SUN SUIT Application filed December 11,1929. Serial No. 413,265.

This invention relates to so-called sun suits or play suits.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I have disclosed two embodiments thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one form of sun suit or play suit embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is arear elevation thereof;

Fig. 2 is a detail in cross section on the line 2 -2 of Fig. 2 of one of the tape loops the construction at the edge of the front panel being conventionallyshown in section with the binding tape in section;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a second em bodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation thereof;

Fig. 4 is a detail in cross section on line 4 4"- of Fig. 4 of one of the tape loops the construction atthe edge of the front panel being conventionallyshown in section with the binding tape in section;

Figs. 5 and 6 are details in plan showing slightly modified forms of the loop construction;

Fig. 7 is a detail in plan of a modified arrangement of the supporting straps at the back; and

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 represent further modifications of the loop or loose connection.

The purpose of a so-called sun suit or play suit is to permit children to take sun baths; that is, to sit, play or disport themselves with much of the skin directly exposed to rays of the sun. The suits are primarily intended for outdoor wear by small children especially after they have learned to walk. Such a suit comprises a lower portion intended to cover the lower part of the body and which may for convenience be referred to as the trunk portion, and an upper supporting portion which at the front has and primarily consists of a shield or panel of a mesh or open formation sufliciently close to obscure the front upper portion of the body from view, yet leaving the same exposed to the influence of air and sunlight. Preferably the back of the garment is wholly open excepting in so far as it is necessary to proyide means for supporting the trunk porion.

Referring first to that embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 2 inclusive, I have represented the body portion or trunk portion 1 as of knitted material wherein the wales preferably extend lengthwise of the garment, so that the same is very expansible laterally. Such body portion 1 may be of rib knitting, but is preferably plain knitting of relatively light material, such, for example, as wool, though other suitable material may be employed. Such body portion or trunk portion may be made from a single tubular knitted fabric, or it may be made from one or more pieces of straight knitted fabric suitably joined together. Obviously the invention is not limited to the use of knitted material for the body or trunk portion, since in certain cases woven material may be employed instead, but the same is not preferred.

In the said disclosed embodiment of my invention the said body or trunk portion 1 is -made of front and back parts which are united by seams 2, 3, along their vertical edges. Such seams extend from the outer sides or edges 4:, 5 of the leg openings 6, 7, to the upper edge 8, 9 of said body portion. Preferably the body portion is provided at the leg openings and also-at the waist or upper end thereof with separate knitted pieces of heavier material as indicated at 10, 11, 12, the wales whereof extend lengthwise the garment. In other words, all the wales throughout the body or trunk portion extend lengthwise the body. Said se arate pieces 10, 11, 12 are elastically seame by stitching 13'to said body portion 1, so that the entire and along the two lateral edges of reinforcement it is secured by the stitching 13. Although the body or trunk portion has been particularly described, it is to be understood that such portion of .the garment may be widely varied in structure and shape without departing from the principles of the invention.

, The upper portion of the garment, except for such supporting means as are necessary,

ably and as herein shown, the front of the upper portion of the garment is of such open structure, and the back portion of the garment, in so far as any back portion exists, is of a strap like nature, whereby the entire garment is held in position over the shoulders leaving the arms wholly free and uncovered.

I have represented in the several figures the open mesh material at 17. Such material is not per se novel; it is of a general knitted character sometimes termed net or cable net and is provided throughout with relatively large openings 18, 19 outlined by pillar-like knitted strands, the structure of which need not be more clearly described otherwise than to say it is desirably of a knitted structure or character. The particular nature of this material and the substance of which it is made may-be varied, and it may in some cases be of an open-woven structure, a plain knitted structure, or of a lace net character. The essential purpose thereof is to give ex posure to the suns rays of the upper part of the childs body, or in other words by sufficiently obscuring a direct view of the flesh yet leaving the sa me exposed to the influence of air and sunlight.

The open material, which I shall refer to generically as open mesh material, is preferably cut to the required size and shape from a large piece and is then attached at its lower edge, as indicated at 20, to the upper belt like portion 12 by elastic stitching of the same general character as thatalready described.

In accordance with my invention, I support a body or trunk portion and the attached open mesh material 17 by a plurality of straps adapted to pass over the shoulders and having a loose connection with each other, thus permitting greater freedom of movement of the child and the condition of the straps to all the movements of the wearer. Such loose connection may partake of various forms, certain of which I have herein illustrated as loops. I desire to cover this feature of the invention broadlyand in addition to the two main forms of the invention I have indicated certain other forms of loops constituting variants of the main construction shown.

I will now particularly describe the two main or selected embodiments of my invention, but without in any way limiting my invention thereto.

The panel of open mesh material, which is represented in the figures as broken away, is of a general hexagonal shape in that embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as well as in that embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Referring to the first embodiment of the invention, I provide at the lower parts of the lateral edges the lengthwise folded knitted tapes 21, 22, the wales whereof are shown as extending lengthwise each tape. Said tapes are secured-by elastic U lines of stitches 23, 24, to the edges of the panel. Each of said tapes extends upwardly, and at its upper end is formed into aloop 25, 26 (shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 2 which therefore returns upon itself, and the end of such tape is secured to the edge of the panel portion at substantially the widest portion of the panel, as most clearly indicated in Fig. 2 at 27 28. It will be seen that in this form of my invention, each loop 25, 26 is formed only from the tape 21 or 22, and the meeting raw edges of each said tape at the loop are elastically stitched, as indicated at 25', 26.

Above the tapes 21, 22, where, as shown, the edges of the panel somewhat converge, I provide preferably similar lengthwise folded knitted tapes 29, 30,- each elastically secured by lines of stitches 31, 32, to the panel itself. Each of the said tapes 29, 30 is continued to form part of each shoulder strap, as indicated at 33, 34, and the continuations thereof, after passing through the two loops respectively 25, 26, are secured to the upper end of the trunk or body portion at 35, 36. Each of the tapes thus far described is folded lengthwise upon itself along the median line so as to provide a proper edge.

In addition to the tapes 29, 30, I also, in this embodiment of the invention, provide a tape at the neck portion shown at 37. This tape is also of knitted materialwith lengthwise extending wales and folded along a median line, and the edges thereof are elastically secured by a line of stitching 38 to the panel of open mesh material. The tape 37 at the two upper corners of the panel of open mesh material meets the tapes 29, 30, and the said tape37, folded upon itself as described, is elastically secured by aline of stitches 39 to the edges of the tape 29, and a similar line of elastic stitches 40 is provided to secure the meeting edges of said tape 37 and the tape 30.

In that form of my invention shown in Figs. 3, a and 4 the structure of the body Figs. 3, 4 and 4* I provide the knitted tapes 41, 42 folded lengthwise and with Wales extending lengthwise. I also provide the tapes 43, 44, and in all cases said four tapes are elastically secured along their edges to the edges of the panel of open mesh material. The lower ends of the tapes 43, 44 in this case form a part of each loop. Said loops are shown most clearly at 45, 46 (Figs. 4 and 4 I beingcomposed, as stated, of parts of the tapes 41, 42 and 42, 44 respectively, secured to each other along the meeting edges by the elastic lines of stitches 47, 48.

The tape 49 at the neck opening is of knit- 2O ted material with longitudinally extending wales and is folded along the median line and ,its two edges are elastically'secured at 50 to the upper edge of the panel of open mesh material. As in the construction shown in Figs.

' 1 and 2, the tape 49 meets, at the shoulder parts 51, 52, the two tapes 43, 44, and the same are elastically secured together by the lines of stitches 53, 54, and which extend down to the points 55, 56 where said tapes are respectively secured to the upper end of the body or trunk portion 1.

In accordance with my invention, any suitable loop or equivalent construction'may be employed, and in the main figures I have represented loops 25,26 and 45, 46. If for a loose connection I employ a loop, I may construct the loop in any suitable manner. For example, in Fig. 5 I have represented at 57 the loop as provided by an extension of the tape 30, the end of the tape being provided with a button-hole 58 to receive a button 59 upon the tape 30 or other suitable part of the garment.

In Fig. 6, the tape 30 has aprolongation 60 provided with a slot 61 which is in the nature of a buttonhole and is suitably worked or overseamed as indicated. In the case of Figs. 5 and 6, the loop like structure receives the tape such as 53. It is to be understood that these constructions may be employed with any arrangement of straps.

In Fig. 7, I have represented a construction similar to Figs. 1 to 4, excepting that the straps, after passing over the shoulders, do not, as in Fig. 2 or in Fig. 4, cross as there indicated, but are connected at their lower ends to the trunk or body portion at the same side of the garment, laterally considered as at the front. I have indicated such uncrossed strap portions at 62, 63. They are connected together by a cross strap, such, for example, as 65, which may be stitched at 65 to one of the straps and provided at the other end with a button 67 to be received in a buttonhole 66 in the strap 63. In the construction shown in. Fig. 7, anysuitable form. of .1oop. .or loose connection may be employed. I Any" otherv construction accomplishing this purpose may be employed, and I am not limited tothat shown. 1

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10, I have shown further slight modifications of the so-called loose or. loop connection. In Fig. 8, I have represented the tape 30 and a lower tape 68, the latter having an extension or additional tape secured thereto, indicated at 69. Said tape receives one of the straps at the back, the same here being indicated at 70. This may be the strap from the same side or from the opposite side of the front of the garment. The tape 69 is of sufficient length to provide a loop or loose connection as shown, and has a buttonhole 71 to receive a button 72 upon the tape 68.

In Fig. 9, the upper tape is indicated at 30 and the lower tape at 73. Both of these tapes are continued at their meeting point, being seamed together to form a singleextension 74 of suflicient length to constitute a loop or. loose connection for the strap coming either from the same or the opposite side of the garment. Said tape 74 is provided with a buttonhole 75, and upon the tape 74 is a button 76. A similar construction is shown in Fig. 10, excepting that instead of continuing or prolonging the said two tapes, a supplemental tapeissecuredthereto. Said tape is indicated at 77 and is provided with a buttonhole 78 to receive a button 79. It is understood that the so-called loop portion may in any of the constructions thereof be integral with one or both of the tapes, or may be a separate piece or member attached to one or more of the tapes.

Having thus described one illustrative embodiment of the invention, it, is to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and de-' scriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims:

1. A play suit including a lower or trunk portion and an upper supportingportion secured thereto, said upper supporting portion having at the front a shield or panel of a mesh formation sufliciently close to obscure 'from view the front upper portion of the body yet leaving the same exposed to the influence of air and sunlight, said shield or panel having at each lower part of its opposite sides an edge tape-like member provided at its upper end with a loop, and provided at the upper parts of its sides with tapes prolopged to provide shoulder supports, and each extending respectively through the opposite side loop to the lower or trunk portion to support the latter at the back.

2. A play suit including a lower or trunk portion and an upper supporting portion secured thereto, said upper supporting portion having at the front a shield or panel, said shield or panel having lower side tapes with loops and upper side tapes extended to provide shoulder supports and thence extending through opposite loops to thelower or trunk portion and there secured.

3. A play suit including a lower or trunk portion and an upper supporting portion se-- cured thereto, said uppersupporting portion having at the front a shield or panel of a mesh formation sufficiently close to obscure from view the front upper portion of the body yet leaving the same exposed to theinfluence of sunlight, said shield or panel having lower side edge tapes with loops about midheight of said shield or panel, said shield from view the front upper portion of the body yet leaving the same exposed to the influence of sunlight, said shield or panel having at each of its opposite sides an upper and lower tape portion secured to its edge and prolonged at their meeting ends-to form a side loop, said upper tape portions being respectively prolonged to extend over the shoulders down through said loops and at-.

tached to the lower or trunk portion.

5. A play suit including a lower or trunk portion and an upper supporting portionsecured thereto, said upper supporting portion having at the front a shield or panel, said shield or panel having, at each side edge, up-.

I per and lower edge tapes prolonged at their meeting ends to provide loops, a neck tape, the opposite ends whereof are secured to the upper side tapes respectively, the said neck tape and said upper side tapes being prolonged topass through said loops and connected to the lower trunk portion to support the same at the rear.

; '6. A play suit including a lower or trunk portion and an upper supporting portion securedthereto, said upper supporting portion having at each lower part of its opposite sides an edge tape-like member provlded at its upper end with a loop, and provided at the upper parts of its sides with tapes prolonged to provide shoulder supports and each extending respectively through the opposite side loop to the lower or trunk portion to support the latter at the back.

- 7. A play suit including a lower or trunk portion and an upper supporting portion secured thereto, said upper supporting portion upper side tapes extended to provide shoulder supports and each thence extending through an opposite loop to the lower or trunk portion and there secured.

8. A play suit including a lower or trunk portion and an upper supporting portion secured thereto, said upper supporting portion having lower side edge tapes with loops about midheight thereof and also having upper side edge tapes prolonged to extend over the shoulders and downwardly through opposite loops to the rear of the lower or trunk portion and there secured.

9. A play suit including a lower or trunk portion and an upper supporting portion secured thereto, said upper supporting portion having lower edge tapes and opposite side loops carried thereby and having upper side tapes and also having 'a front neck tape, the latter beingextended and connected to both of said side tapes and passing together therewith through said loops respectively and se cured to the lower or tru'flli portion to support the latter at the rear.

10. A play suit including a lower or trunk portion and an upper supporting portion ,secured thereto, said upper supportingportion having at each opposite side an upper and lower tape portion secured to its edge and both prolonged at their meeting ends to form a side loop, said upper tape portions'being respectively prolonged to extend over the shoulhaving, at. each side edge, upper and lower 'ders, down through said loops and attached to edge tapes prolonged at their meeting ends to i provide loops, a neck tape, the opposite ends whereof are secured to the upper side tapes respectively, the said neck tape and said upper side tapes being prolonged to pass through said loops and connected to the lower trunk portion to support the'same at the rear.

12. A play suit including a lower or trunk portion and an upper supporting portion secured thereto, said upper supportingportion having at each opposite edge an upper and lower tape portion secured toits edge, said upper tape portions beingrespectively prolonged to extend over the shoulders and, attached at their lower ends to the'lower or trunk portion, said upper tape portions" each having a looseconnection with the tape portions from the opposite edge of the upper supporting portion.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HOBART L. HARGRAVES.

having lower side edgetapes with loops and I 

